Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Grijalva was shot and killed in the 3900 block of Lyon Avenue after responding to a call for assistance by animal control officers trying to take a vicious pit bull into custody. The owner was resisting their efforts. When Officer Grijalva arrived on the scene he and several other officers tried to take the dog owner into custody. The man broke away from them, ran into his house, and fired a shotgun at them. Officer Grijalva was wounded in the chest and leg, despite wearing body armor, and died in surgery that afternoon. The suspect was shot and killed by other officers at the scene. Officer Grijalva had served with the Oakland Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-EF239F94- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Grijalva gave the Oakland Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Grijalva.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer William Blea Grijalva is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Oakland Police Department, 37 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Blea Grijalva's cause is highlighted.
How William Blea Grijalva Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Blea Grijalva is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Blea Grijalva was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Oakland Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
